Come to the Muckraker’s Ball!

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If you’re not busy on Saturday night, or even if you are, make plans to attend the 2008 Muckraker’s Ball & Award Ceremony! No, alas, I had nothing to do with putting together this fabulous event, even though I’d love to take credit, and the name does seem fitting….

Each year Cook Inlet Keeper, an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the Cook Inlet watershed and the life within it, chooses one deserving Alaskan who has spoken truth to power, and works to hold the government and corporations accountable for their actions. Isn’t that a nice concept? To this individual Cook Inlet Keeper bestows the honorary title of “Muckraker of the Year.” This year, the recipient is the amazing and incomparable Dr. Ricki Ott, “whose groundbreaking work has played a vital role shining a necessary light on the politicians, bureaucrats, and Exxon Corporation executives who have labored to cover up and ignore the devastation of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.”

Believe it or not, we are approaching the 20th anniversary of that event whose after effects are still being felt by residents of the Sound, fisherman, wildlife, and all who hold to that area as a symbol of wildness and beauty.

Dr. Ott will be signing copies of her new book, “Not One Drop: Betrayal and Courage in the Wake of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill.”

And who is up to emceeing this festive and auspicious event? None other than Air American radio personality and Alaska blogger, Shannyn Moore! It will no doubt be loads of fun, and promotes the good work of one of my most favorite organizations.

And to share a small bit of the spirit of Prince William Sound, the site of the Exxon disaster, I’ve added some pictures to the Flickr stream that you’ll find at the bottom of the sidebar. Enjoy.

35 responses

Thank God I’ve found you again! Thought I was lost in the twilight zone for a moment. Would love to attend this event … perhaps there will be a virtual one for the lower 48?

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fawnskin hussein mudpuppy(06:35:35) :

i second taupe’s comment

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sauerkraut(06:40:48) :

Here’s to my wish that Dr. Ott will do a book tour which includes pennsyltucky. I may even know a group or two that might host a visit as part of Earth Week.

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Denise sansMSgaAZca(06:49:09) :

Happy Birthday, Drinktomeonly!!! May you have many more.

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whichferret(06:56:24) :

Sounds better than the plans that I already have, but then again it is a LONG way to drive…from KS to AK. So I will just have to send HUGS and best wishes. Hope it is a great party. And that many books are sold.

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GJ in ID(07:04:18) :

oh, I want to go…but alas I have not yellow boots, and no loot to get to AK, hope ya all have lots of fun, though

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Scott Palin(07:05:33) :

Two more days till MUDSTOCK IV!!

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Proud Community OrganzierWA(07:06:41) :

Wow 20 years already? I so admire people like Dr. Ott. Keep shining the light!

Wish I could be there.

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say no to palin in politics(07:40:39) :

now somebody please shine the light on Sarah…..one of those really bright lights!

I am tired of Biden being ignored. I would love a year of Joe Biden!
=============================================

Hey Responsible, (this from previous thread, but really wanted just to say hi to fellow Biden fan) check out the second Time Magazine Inbox letter (in printed version that was mailed around the globe), you’re not alone…others obviously notice the disparity.http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1858868,00.html
Part of the reason, maybe we should back up letters such as this with our own to MSM and express our interest in hearing more of Joe Biden as he is the Veep-elect now. Not the cheap shot kind either…Joe has a significant fan base. I don’t care what he says or how he says it, his words are true, and human, and uncanned as he doesn’t need the saftey net. I just want to hear them. btw, he did a cute job at the governor’s meeting (with OB) went off script of course…I was so proud typical Joe.
Besides…humanity is in now…and Sparky “hearts” Joe

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CO Almost Native(08:13:49) :

Sparky (08:00:35) :

I agree; one of the reasons I voted for Obama was his selection of Biden as VP. Yes, he sometimes has foot-in-mouth disease, but don’t we all? He is very experienced in foreign policy- our government needs all the expertise it can get, after eight years of gun-slinging/saber rattling/neocons running amuck.

Roll up your sleeves, Joe, and get to work-

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pdx mb(08:19:19) :

CO Almost Native (07:48:26) :

A Ball?! Alas, I have no ball gown; hmm…perhaps I could borrow one from Sarah Palin’s closet.

Like the other mudpups, I will be there in spirit- in my flannel pjs:) May all of the Alaskans in attendance celebrate far into the night-

Denise sansMSgaAZca (06:49:09)
Is it your birthday today? My birthday is Sunday…happy December birthdays to any other mudpups who happen to be Sagittarians.

Ha! I used to live around the corner from Chilkoot Charlie’s. Sounds like a good party. I’ll be there in spirit.

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giddyup(08:27:06) :

Wish I could attend. 😉

Ya, know, I haven’t bought gas from Exxon since that whole disaster. I’m sure they don’t feel any loss, but it makes me feel better. 🙂

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CO Almost Native(08:37:45) :

pdx mb (08:19:19) :

Awesome! Cheers back at you Saturday night at midnight (clink glasses).

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j faith l(08:50:06) :

off the topic……Anyone see the aritcle in today’s NY Times about Mark Begich?

A good-sized piece.

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Goalie in NM(08:50:18) :

Virtual Muckraker’s Ball on Saturday night in the Forum chat room.

Formal attire required. Dinner and chair dancing to follow.

Remember to drink responsibly 😀

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nswfm CA(09:23:49) :

…and to think Caribou Barbie couldn’t think of anything other than Roe v Wade that she disagreed with the Supreme Court when asked by Katie Couric….This was in her front yard, for Pete’s sake!

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Grammy in PA(09:28:07) :

nswfm CA (09:23:49) :

…and to think Caribou Barbie couldn’t think of anything other than Roe v Wade that she disagreed with the Supreme Court when asked by Katie Couric….This was in her front yard, for Pete’s sake!

* * *

Yes, but 20 years ago, she was only 24, and wasn’t paying attention . . .

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nswfm CA(09:38:27) :

Grammy in PA (09:28:07) :

She’s 41 days younger than me and I was paying attention, living in CA, going to college and finishing in 4 years in the leading public school in the country.

I’s sure you’ve noticed. She still isn’t paying PAYING ATTENTION!

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nswfm CA(09:41:18) :

giddyup (08:27:06) :

Ya, know, I haven’t bought gas from Exxon since that whole disaster. I’m sure they don’t feel any loss, but it makes me feel better.
_________
I haven’t bought their gass either, and I’m sure the 9 years without a car in NYC made it even less noticable, but it still makes me feel better.

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austintx(09:45:40) :

I won’t even stop to pee at Exxon while on a road trip…….

Actually, that might be the only appropriate symbolic act to perform at an Exxon station… AKM

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Hope(09:52:28) :

I came perilously close to running out of gas alone in a rented car in a SCARY area of a city where I didn’t know and didn’t know where I was for sure because Exxon was the only station I could find! No way! NEVER EVER! I’d have walked rather than buy their gas!

And of course she wasn’t paying attention – then, now or ever. When has she? What’s billions of birds, mammals, fish, coastline, ocean, people and environmental disaster to her – not to mention TRUST? Wasilla is inland, and people don’t effect the planet and god’s in charge, so … piffle!

She may have been in her 20s at the time of the spill, but she was Governor at the time of the Supreme Court ruling that sided with Exxon at the expense of Alaskan fisherman. See the link above. That non-answer to Couric completely blew my mind.

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InJuneau(10:08:10) :

Of course, there aren’t even any Exxon gas stations in Alaska, so we can’t have the pleasure of not getting gas there…

I do avoid them when I’m Outside though! And even I was paying attention to the spill when it happened, and I was 18 1/2 and at the time on spring break 4000 miles from AK.

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InJuneau(10:14:41) :

NEW THREAD ALERT!

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Hope(10:19:11) :

I worked in one of the sea otter rescue centers that year. It was heartbreaking in every way. And my heart breaks again every time this thing gets swept farther and farther under the rug by those who don’t care and don’t get it. And she’s one of them! AKM’s article on this mentioned at 10:06:50 is an excellent summary of some of this tragic saga.

I thought I’d seen Exxon stations in Anchorage, but even if we don’t have any here in Alaska, I’m shocked that people still go to them ANYwhere! There should have been an immediate and eternal boycott everywhere Exxon tries to sell gas. Of course, they just would have changed their name, but…

Sorry for the bitterness. This is one thing I feel very much defeated about and sorrowful.

HOPE

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DF(10:37:56) :

I so remember where I was after the Exxon Valdez disaster occurred. I was walking in Carr’s and saw the headline on ADN. I was in shock at the amount of the spill and actually thought the number of barrels was a mistake! I made 2 calls to report the accident to friends and got unconcerned responses. I don’t think we knew at that time the seriousness of this accident and how long it would instill anger and frustration in our fellow Alaskans. I can still remember seeing Joseph Hazelwood doing his penance in Anchorage. I was fortunate enough to meet and befriend the wife of one of the defense attorneys during the trial in Anchorage. And, finally, I’m glad I participated in doing some of the analysis of the after effects in the communities effected.

Such memories. It’s hard to forget this awful tradegy that could have been prevented.

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Moose Pucky(11:24:19) :

Dr. Rikki Ott has been one of my heroes ever since I wandered into Alaska over fifteen years ago. Well deserving of sharing the honorable title of muckraker. Creatures of the slough applaud with hoofs (hooves?), paws, claws, feathers, and fins.

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CRFlats(12:09:50) :

Re: Out to lunch Sarah:
Not only could she not name Exxon v. Baker as a Supreme Court decision she didn’t agree with, but just 6 months previously, she was in DC at the time of the trial, holding a press conference at the National Press Club. She used it as a media event to take a swipe at Exxon. The event was sponsored by a grass roots organization called “The Whole Truth”, made up of people and organizations effected by the Spill. She popped in during the media event to “headline”.
To listen to real voices, real truth, regarding the spill:http://www.wholetruth.net/

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marti(12:40:35) :

Darn! I would so be there but am out of town this weekend. Darn!

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loreenwl(12:51:06) :

I went on a long planned trip to Anchorage and Wasilla immediately after that spill. It was gut wrenching. Some of the friends I went to visit were down on the Sound helping with the clean up so I didn’t get to see them. However, we ran into a number of folks in restaurants and other places who came from all over the country and who were there specifically to help clean up. They did it on their own dime too. It was incredibly gratifying to meet all those people. And I don’t ever buy Exxon either.

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